NEW YORK (AP) — A judge in New York says he finds it "stunning" that federal budget woes could delay the start of a terrorism trial for Osama bin Laden's son-in-law.

Judge Lewis Kaplan made the comment Monday as he set deadlines for defense lawyers to submit pre-trial arguments on behalf of Sulaiman Abu Ghaith (SOO'-lay-mahn AH'-boo GAYTH).

Ghaith was brought to the United States last month. He's charged with conspiring to kill Americans in his alleged role as al-Qaida's top propagandist after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He has pleaded not guilty.

Kaplan suggested he might set a trial date as early as September. But Ghaith's lawyer complained, saying public defenders are being furloughed for more than five weeks because of automatic budget cuts.